MBB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[sac]

The other side of the 4 team vs 8 team debate is the 4 team tournament prevents SOS damaging games like Wheaton vs Millikin.

A win isn't going to do a lot to bolster Wheaton's Pool C position within the Midwest Region and the SOS factor from Millikin would push down their SOS.  Anything they would gain by playing Augustana/Illinois Wesleyan in the semi-finals is counter balanced by having to add an 8-17 team to their SOS.

[kiko]

The other side of the 4 team vs 8 team debate is the 4 team tournament prevents SOS damaging games like Wheaton vs Millikin.

A win isn't going to do a lot to bolster Wheaton's Pool C position within the Midwest Region and the SOS factor from Millikin would push down their SOS.  Anything they would gain by playing Augustana/Illinois Wesleyan in the semi-finals is counter balanced by having to add an 8-17 team to their SOS.

... which is why the *real* best option is to not play a conference tournament.

[Titan Q]

The other side of the 4 team vs 8 team debate is the 4 team tournament prevents SOS damaging games like Wheaton vs Millikin.

A win isn't going to do a lot to bolster Wheaton's Pool C position within the Midwest Region and the SOS factor from Millikin would push down their SOS.  Anything they would gain by playing Augustana/Illinois Wesleyan in the semi-finals is counter balanced by having to add an 8-17 team to their SOS.

I'd trade the extra win for the little bump down in SOS though.

[Titan Q]

... which is why the *real* best option is to not play a conference tournament.

If the goal is to maximize CCIW teams in the NCAA tournament, then I will continue to agree with this. 

If we called it good with the following resumes (after last Saturday's games), the CCIW would have 4 teams in for sure:

* Illinois Wesleyan - .880/.556/6-2   Midwest #2
* Wheaton - .680/.595/5-5   Midwest #3
* Augustana - .760/.553/4-3   Midwest #4
* Carthage - .652/.593/4-6   Midwest #6

I think these four are all getting in, but if Carthage gets left out, it will be because of that 0-1 in the CCIW tournament.

I'd rather do what the UAA does - let the 25-game resume speak for itself and let the other Pool C candidates around the country lose games in conference tournaments. 

I will also always be of the old school opinion that the team that earns the CCIW title over the course of 14 games deserves to be the Pool A team.

[kiko]

I'd rather do what the UAA does - let the 25-game resume speak for itself and let the other Pool C candidates around the country lose games in conference tournaments.

I will also always be of the old school opinion that the team that earns the CCIW title over the course of 14 games deserves to be the Pool A team.

100% agree with this.

[iwumichigander]

The other side of the 4 team vs 8 team debate is the 4 team tournament prevents SOS damaging games like Wheaton vs Millikin.

A win isn't going to do a lot to bolster Wheaton's Pool C position within the Midwest Region and the SOS factor from Millikin would push down their SOS.  Anything they would gain by playing Augustana/Illinois Wesleyan in the semi-finals is counter balanced by having to add an 8-17 team to their SOS.

Agree.  8 team tournament also limits the non-conference opportunities to build a vRRO / SOS resume against strong teams.   We don't see too many seasons like this one were 4 CCIW teams and 2 geographic Midwest UAA teams (WashU and UChgo) are all ranked with the Midwest Region.  With the NCAA moving WIAC, CCIW and others into a Central Region.  Next season, CCIW teams are going to need those vRRO games to build a better resume to compete in the rankings with likes, for example,  UW-WW and UW-SP. 

[D-3 watcher]

Any conference winners lose in their tourneys yet??

[bopol]

Any conference winners lose in their tourneys yet??

Yep, check out the Pool C thread at

http://www.d3boards.com/index.php?topic=4232.5025

and look for the posts by Greek Tragedy or look at

http://www.d3hoops.com/seasons/men/2013-14/conference-tournaments/index

[Naperick]

I continue to feel the CCIW would be better off having all 8 teams in the conference tournament.  Carthage will be competing for a Pool C bid at the end of the bubble with teams that had a chance to win quarterfinal games in their conference tournament - for example, Ohio Wesleyan (beat Kenyon in NCAC round 1) and DePauw (beat Wabash in NCAC round 1).  The impact of these wins on winning %, relative to Carthage's 0-1 in the CCIW tournament, is literally enough to be the difference between being in and out.

Does anyone know the logic behind only having 4 teams in the CCIW tournament?  Is it purely to save on costs?  I agree that all eight should participate---why not?

I could be wrong on this but if everyone is allowed into the conference tourney, you are only allowed 24 regular season games instead of 25?

[Naperick]

I would like to skip the CCIW tourney and have the regular season games end this weekend.  I think the conference tourney hurts more than it helps.

[NCF]

I would like to skip the CCIW tourney and have the regular season games end this weekend.  I think the conference tourney hurts more than it helps.

Agreed!

[AppletonRocks]

Carthage looking good. 

[titanfan]

Hope is down 21 to Calvin with 6:29 left.  That could burst somebody's bubble

[Titan Q]

Hope is down 21 to Calvin with 6:29 left.  That could burst somebody's bubble

I have Chicago and Birmingham-Southern out this afternoon with the WPI and Hope upsets.

http://www.d3boards.com/index.php?topic=4232.msg1584230#msg1584230

Carthage moves closer to the edge of the bubble.

[veterancciwfan]

I watched 5 minutes of the Chicago/Wash. U. game and can't watch any more. Wash. U. up 15. Chicago is a horrible defensive team with a selfish "I can create my own shot" offense. I like Mike McGrath, but he needs to recruit some team oriented players who at least make an effort on the defensive side. Chicago can't be the 8th best team in the Midwest Region. I would like to know the rationale the committee used when it decided to give Chicago the #8 ranking last Sunday. There has to be a reason. Elmhurst would beat Chicago by double digits. The majority of CCIW coaches want a conf. tournament so the teams at the bottom don't give up hope the third week of January. Can't damage that thin veneer of self-esteem. To those coaches, some advice: Recruit better players. That's what winners do.